Vacation in your Own Backyard

Summer is almost upon us and the kids are almost out of school, by now you’re already thinking about what you might want to do this summer, taking a look at your bank account and thinking “Do we really have money for a vacation this year?”

Over the last few years you’ve probably heard the term “Stay-cation” and if you don’t know what it is, here’s the deal: Instead of planning a week long adventure out of town, look for fun and exciting things to do close to home. Find a zoo, or a local park and plan a day trip.

The Government might like to coddle us and say that we’re coming out of a recession, but those of us who were affected know that even though we’re coming out, we’re still in a recession!

Vacations, with your home as a base of operations, are a fun way to get out of the house and have fun with the family with out breaking the bank. The possibilities are endless, from a one day trip to a week long adventure using your home as the hub for your adventures, you can plan more adventures with out having to worry about the cost of the hotel!

Wildwater Rafting  offer a wide range of activities for the whole family! Book your backyard outing with us, day trips can be made from Atlanta, Greenville, Knoxville, Asheville, Charlotte and surrounding areas. Whatever you do this summer, we hope you and your family have a safe and fun filled trip!

To make reservations for whitewater rafting, zipline adventures, Jeep™ tours, and Raft and Rail© adventures, call our reservation office at 1-800-451-9972

It's not too late to think about what you'll be doing for your summer job. What about spending your summer on the Zip Line Canopy Tour as a Ranger! Go to Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours web page for a description and an application. Should we tell you how beautiful the canopy is now at Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours with the rain we just had? The flame azaleas are gorgeous, native Magnolias are just beginning to bloom and the dogwoods are hanging in there. Just wait until the mountain laurel bloom, it will look like winter!

Team Wildwater for the Cure

Hello Friends!
As the weather warms we've been gearing up to offer you the most exciting adventures of the year! We've planning our fourth annual Raft For the Cure event that supports the efforts of the Susan G Komen Foundation. The event is August 28th on the Ocoee River, the venue for the 1996 Olympic white water competition.
This year our sponsored trip is leaving out at 2:00. Following the raft trip is a reception and tribute to attending breast cancer survivors with a moving butterfly release. Please mark this date on you calendar. Reservations for this event are required. Contact Wildwater at (800) 451-9972. Bring a friend, but more importantly, if you know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, bring them so we can honor and praise their battle.
Team Wildwater will contribute $1 (up to $2000) for every new person who joins and stays a friend of Wildwater's Facebook between now and August 27th. Please, let your friends know, Wildwater is Rafting For The Cure!

2010 Starts with a Bang!

Wildwater Ltd. Rafting and our zipline canopy tours opened its doors for the 2010 Season this past week and we’re off and running!

This past week was the opening of the first rafting trips of the season at our Chattooga Activity Center and our first flights on the brand new Chattooga Ridge Canopy Tours! This is the third Canopy Tour to be opened by Adventure America Zipline Canopy Tours and managed by Wildwater. A fourth zipline course is starting on Wildwater's Pigeon River location in Hartford, Tennessee. We are now taking reservations for the Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours in western North Carolina and the new Chattooga Ridge Canopy Tours at 800-451-9972.

Work is progressing on the rock slides that blocked Hwy 64 in eastern Tennessee and on I-40 on the NC/TN state line. To get more information about travel conditions to the Pigeon River and Ocoee River contact our Team in the reservations office. If you haven’t seen the video from that rock slide go to YouTube to view this amazing footage.

The construction crew on the Ocoee River has a time lapse camera at the site of the clean up for anyone interested in keeping an eye on their progress. The photos are taken every 12 minutes between 6AM and 6PM. The construction company is Ox Blue Construction, click the link to see pictures.

Check back often for more info about any of these stories and more Wildwater projects in the work! To make reservations for white water rafting, a zipline canopy tour, a lake kayak tour, a Raft & Rail© or Rails & Trails trip or to book Wildwater lodging in our Chattooga Cottages, Yurts or Group Lodge at Falling Waters Resort, call our Reservations Team at (800) 451-9972.

Detour Discount-20% off Luxury Yurt Lodging, 20% off Zip Line Canopy Tour

Western North Carolina-Falling Waters Adventure Resort and Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours are turning lemons into lemonade. The rock slide on I-40 could be a boon for some travelers, if you plan your route strategically. For travelers heading to destinations west of Knoxville, like Chattanooga and Nashville, taking the detour south along Hwy 74 can be a cost saver.

Falling Waters, located in the Nantahala Gorge area of western North Carolina, is offering a Detour Discount. Save 20% on a night's stay at Falling Waters Adventure Resort or take a zip through the trees with the Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours or do both.  Falling Waters was only one of two North Carolina accommodations selected to the National Geographic 2009 "Stay List" and was selected for its unique, one-of-a-kind experience.

The Yurt Village offers all the amenities of home but gives you a taste of the outdoors. The Yurts are appointed with queen-sized beds, all linens, a CD player, small refrigerators, coffee-makers, and use of the resort's Hot Tub. Bathrooms are private but shared. There are fire rings, hammocks, and hiking trails all on 22 acres. Also located at the Resort is the Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours.

The Canopy Tour takes you over and through the tree tops of the resort, flying over 1/2 mile from ridge to ridge and then into the trees of the hardwood forest. This two-hour flight is the only one of its kind in western North Carolina and is something not to be missed. Flyers who are 70 lbs to 250 lbs can experience this thrilling activity. All flyers should be able to raise their arms over their heads. Recommended clothing includes closed-toed shoes, a collared shirt and long pants.

Come find out why Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours is rated #1 in Bryson City on tripadvisor.com. Contact Wildwater for more information and availability. 877-247-5535 or go online at www.wildwaterrafting.com.

Only One More Week on the Chattooga!

But Oh what a time it will be!

November 8th is the last day for rafting on the Chattooga River and the 2009 season for Wildwater. For the past few days we’ve had steady rain followed by gorgeous days like today!! This has caused the water levels to rise again, not as much as we saw last month, but a significant amount. Check out the pictures we’ve uploaded to our website. The Chattooga is the only river run by Wildwater that is not dam controlled. While the rain can have an effect on our dam controlled rivers  (conditions are aided by the smaller streams and brooks feeding into the river downstream),  rainfall is the main influence of conditions on the Chattooga.

Need another reason to go rafting? Well we’ve got two! How about the amazing fall foliage. In the last two weeks conditions have been near perfect to get the leaves popping into their show of colors! Although colors are starting to get past peak in Western NC they are just peaking in Upstate SC where the Chattooga is located. Secondly, mention fall specials and receive 20% off of any Wildwater trip. Don't wait or you might just miss the adventure!!!

Visit our website to find out more about the exciting trips we have to offer this last few weeks, and don’t forget that the weekend of November 7th is also the last release date on the Cheoah River in Robbinsville, NC for 2009!

Plumtree Canopy Tours

@ Toe River Lodge Campground, Plumtree, NC

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23!!!

Experience a real Canopy Tour and Zipline Adventure that takes you into the trees with Plumtree Canopy Tours. More than just a 3 hour zipline experience, enjoy 11 zips and 4 sky bridges while learning about the trees, wildlife habitats, community of Plumtree, the vast underground mines, the hey days of the early to mid-1900’s, and how this region of peaks soaring 5500 feet above sea level remains a world leader today. Operated by the professionals from Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours, Plumtree flies you 60 feet above Isaac’s Branch Creek, launches you from“Rock & Roll” and zips you past trees and mountainsides on “The Zinger.”

All equipment is provided including the added security of a full-body harness, helmet, trolley, glove, and 2 professional canopy rangers per group.

Plumtree is located in Avery County NC. Due to the twists and turns the roads take it is difficult to give mileage information to guests, but, we can tell you that it is located fifteen minutes from Linville Gorge, and excellent park for camping, hiking and spelunking! Also located thirty minutes away from Grandfather Mountain, and forty five minutes from Boone and Appalachian State University.

For more information you can visit www.vancetoeriverlodge.com or www.wildwaterrafting.com/plumtree.php

Call Wildwater to make a reservation: 800.451.9972